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Unlucky Beekmans denied first United goal

Beekmans gave an all action display and came as close as anyone to providing the winning goal that United richly deserved after penning the visitors in their own half during the second stanza of an enthralling encounter.

Gold Coast had almost 30 attempts on goal, the majority after the break, as they threw everything at Melbourne in search of a second goal after Maceo Rigters levelled the scores. Heart keeper Clint Bolton was in inspired form for his side and when Beekmans twice beat the veteran custodian it was the frame of the goal that denied him.

The Dutch import showed superb technique to produce a textbook volley from 20 metres that thumped back off the post then rolled agonisingly across the line before spinning to safety.

Soon afterwards he was frustrated again when his towering header also crashed against the upright, leaving the midfield dynamo wondering what he had to do to register his first goal in Gold Coast colours.

“We needed the three points and had our chances to win the game, but luck doesn’t appear to be with us at the moment,” Beekmans said.

“The team played well, especially in the last half an hour of the match and we did everything we could to score another goal.

“All we can do is keep creating chances and go for the three points once again when we play Wellington this weekend. We’ve been working hard and doing the right things but sometimes things don’t go your way and that was the case on Sunday.

“We put a lot more pressure on the ball in the second half and Melbourne didn’t really cope with that. Their goalkeeper played very well and of course we hit the woodwork three times. If we keep doing that then I’m sure results will come our way,” he said.

United Head Coach Miron Bleiberg was full of praise for his midfield general who, along with compatriot Peter Jungschlager, is arguably one of the most underrated players in this season’s Hyundai A-League.

“In the second half Paul was excellent for us. He has a good engine and right until the last minute he kept going. He was out of luck in front of goal and naturally he is frustrated about that, but if he keeps getting into scoring positions then his goal will come,” he said.

United have back-to-back home games for the first time this season with Wellington Phoenix the visitors to Skilled Park this Sunday (15 January). Kick off is at 5.30pm.